East West Rail Accessibility Advisory Panel

We have a duty to understand the impacts of our decision-making on people from protected groups, in particular disabled people. To support this, we established an Accessibility Advisory Panel (AAP) in April 2023. The panel consists of 12 local residents from across the East West Rail Oxford- Cambridge route, all with lived experiences of disability and accessibility challenges. Majority of the members are actively involved in campaigns and groups focused on accessibility in their communities.

The AAP meets every six weeks, either in person or virtually, to discuss EWR proposals and share their travel experiences. This regular engagement helps us identify barriers to travel, find opportunities for more inclusive access, and understand the broader impacts on communities along our route. From stations and platforms to level crossings and beyond, the AAP provides valuable feedback on accessibility requirements from the early stages of design.

The AAP will continue to support EWR Co through the Development Consent Order (DCO) process and beyond, helping to improve the overall customer experience, remove barriers, and promote independent movement for all.

Read more